Lupe Merz, from Utica, is a long-time Boilermaker volunteer.
In her teenage years, she handed out water and picked up discarded orange peels.

This year, Lupe will step off the curb and into the action of Boilermaker Sunday as a runner.
A recent health journey prompted Lupe to lose 80 pounds.
She’s counting on the Go the Distance team to coach her to the finish line.